Throughout its evolution, Apex Legends has been defined by significant updates that have shaped the game’s landscape. With Season 20, the game introduces a groundbreaking mid-match progression system featuring legend upgrades, allowing players to enhance their characters’ abilities as the match progresses. This season also coincides with a comprehensive overhaul of Evo Shields, further deepening the strategic elements of the popular battle royale.
Understanding Legend Upgrades in Apex Legends Season 20
The introduction of the legend upgrade system in Season 20 of Apex Legends marks a significant shift in the game’s dynamic. Players can now enhance their legends’ abilities mid-match through a series of upgrades tied to their Evo Shield levels. The upgrades are as follows:
- Level 1 (gray shield): No upgrade
- Level 2 (blue shield): Choose upgrade 1
- Level 3 (purple shield): Choose upgrade 2
- Level 4 (red shield): No upgrade
The Impact of Upgrades on Gameplay and Strategy
The upgrades available in Apex Legends Season 20 vary significantly from one legend to another, each designed to impact gameplay in unique ways. For instance, Lifeline’s upgrade allows her the powerful ability to self-revive, while Wattson receives an additional Interception Pylon, and Gibraltar’s bubble shield becomes smaller with a reduced cooldown. These upgrades not only add depth to each character’s playstyle but also introduce new strategic considerations for players.
| Lifeline Upgrade | Wattson Upgrade |
|---|---|
| Self-revive ability | Second Interception Pylon |
Developer Insights on Legend Upgrades
John Larson, the legend designer, emphasized the intention behind the upgrades to stay true to each legend’s thematic and playstyle, encouraging both experts and newcomers to experiment with different characters. Lead game designer Devan McGuire expressed his enthusiasm for players to explore new depths with their legends through the upgrade paths, potentially rekindling interest in less favored legends or revisiting old mains with fresh tactics.
Apex Legends Season 20 is set to be a milestone with the introduction of legend upgrades, an Evo Shield overhaul, updates to the ranked system, and a new limited-time mode named Straight Shot. These features promise to enrich the player experience and inject fresh excitement into the competitive scene of this ever-evolving game.
